I recently had the opportunity to interview Renee A. Hand, author of The Adventures Of Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill, Case#2: Mineral Mischief Renee Hand is an award-winning author, educator, tennis coach and various other things. Hand has been writing for over twenty-five years and has eight publications. She also writes for various chronicles and newsletters, as well as reviews for the New York Journal of Books, for various publishers and authors of children´s books on her blog, http://thecryptocapersseries.blogspot.com/ . Check out more of the author's books on her website at http://www.reneeahand.com/
Tell us about this book
In the midst of having her friends visit her rock collection, Maple Moo’s rare mineral goes missing from underneath her large cow nose. She instantly turns to Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill, the most famous detectives in Acorn Valley, to find it. They didn’t know the task was going to be an impossible one. The suspects were hard to figure out. Was it Candy Cardinal, who committed the crime? She collects various gemstones to make jewelry. Brutus and Betty Blue Beaver also collect minerals and have a fancy quartz collection. Liam the Llama looks suspicious with his igneous rocks and exploding volcano, or was it Huckleberry Moose with his sedimentary rock collection? Joe-Joe and Biscuit find themselves at a loss until some bullies roar into town. Will the detectives be able to find the missing mineral? Or, will this be a case they won’t be able to close? Find out in case #2 in the Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill Series-Mineral Mischief. Look for the various activities in the back of the book concerning rocks and minerals for added learning. Bubbling rocks, anyone?
Who did you write this book for?
Mineral Mischief is appropriate for children in 2nd and 3rd grade and up who are ready to read chapter books.
Could you give a short excerpt from your story?
Joe-Joe and Biscuit found themselves in a dark and dreary cave, and in front of them, sitting on an ornately carved stone pedestal, was Maple’s mineral. To reach out and take it would be so easy. It glistened like stars in a midnight sky, attracting their attention, luring them. There had to be a catch somewhere. Something wasn’t right. Joe-Joe and Biscuit stood beside the pedestal, analyzing it. There was a circle in the center of the pedestal, and the mineral was placed in the center of that circle. A TRAP! thought Joe-Joe as he glanced at his partner, who was wearing a russet-colored fedora, which matched his own—they definitely looked sharp. Joe-Joe glanced behind Biscuit, where he noticed a deep gap in the wall. The opening was barred like a cage. Barely any light shined through to reveal what was inside. Joe-Joe had an inkling that, if he removed the mineral, the cage door would open, unleashing a horrific Greek beast that would assuredly eat them both for dinner. Joe-Joe began thinking like an adventurer. He was suddenly consumed with the identity of Indiana Jones.
Who influenced your writing style the most?
No one in particular. I write the way I want to read my books. I think of the audience, and my own children, when I write. I want what they read to be interesting and fun, educational and clean.
If you could have lunch with any author, who would it be?
Gaston Leroux. I would have so many questions about his real life adventures.
Do you have a specific writing style?
I do. Readers know what to expect when picking up my books. I always write mysteries. I always include factual information, though my stories are fiction. I include educational elements that parents and teachers have come to expect. I keep my stories suspenseful and adventurous.
Are your characters pure fiction, or did you draw from people you know?
Both! Many of my characters are created from people I know or who I think they should be like, but some are also pure fiction.
Are you more of a character artist or a plot-driven writer?
I am definitely plot driven. I know what I need to have happen in the story and I drive the story according to those events. I also consider the characters and their actions and abilities when spinning my tale so it suits their abilities, but I consider the plot first.
What books have most influenced you?
The Sherlock Holmes Series by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and books by Gaston Leroux
What type of feedback have you received so far from readers?
I have received tons of positive feedback. Parents and children love what I am doing with the series and the direction its going. Parents love the fact that I include ways to educate children. No matter what book I have out I get the reader involved into the story inspiring them to want to learn more about a specific topic and to think outside of the box. My books challenge the reader, yet are also fun and memorable stories.
Other than selling your book, what do you hope to accomplish with it?
I hope to reach out to children and satisfy their love of reading mysteries. My books are unique and different. They are educational and interesting. I take the everyday and turn it into an adventure that will take the reader on a ride they will never forget. I hope to touch their lives.
Who should buy this book?
This book is perfect for teachers, homeschoolers and parents to help supplement their child’s learning about rocks and minerals.
Where can people buy your book?
My books are available at Barnes and Nobles, Amazon.com, Borders, and other bookstores big and small. My books are also sold on my website where I will personalize them.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Interview With Renee A. Hand
Monday, May 10, 2010
Author Renee Hand To Allow Children To Create A Character For Her Next Book In The Joe-Joe Nut Series
Renee Hand, author of the Crypto-Capers and Joe-Joe Nut series, will allow children to create a character for the book. Children can submit their characters and encourage family, friends and the public to vote for their favorites. The winning entry will be featured in the next installment of the book, and the book will be dedicated to the winner
In honor of book 1 of award-winning author Renee Hand’s new lower elementary children’s book series, The Adventures of Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill, The Great Pie Catastrophe, author Renee Hand is hosting a contest for children to become characters in one of her cases. The opportunity is for children to be able to create their own animal suspect.
The Joe-Joe Nut series is based on animal detectives who solve cases. The books are educational and fun using topics that children will learn from, such as animal tracks (for book 1) and rocks and minerals (for book 2, coming in the fall of 2010). Every book is unique, entertaining and yet full of interesting information that children will love to learn about.
For the contest, children will submit a character they created. The author will then post submissions on her website. Family, friends and the public will be able to read and vote for their favorites. The submission that receives the most votes will become a character in the next book.
"I decided to hold this contest," stated Ms. Hand, "in honor of my new lower elementary series titled, The Adventures of Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill, Case #1 The Great Pie Catastrophe. I am an author who writes for my readers. I want them to be involved in my books and make a connection with the characters. It is important to me. My goal is to not only entertain children, but to educate them as well, and all of my books accomplish this goal. This contest will help children understand the process an author goes through in creating a character and will be able to work with me on the development of that character in the story. As a thank you to the winner, not only will their character be a part of the story but it will be dedicated to them as well. The winner will also receive a signed copy from me. I am excited about this contest and wish luck to all. I look forward to reading the entries."
The contest begins on May 9 in honor of National Children's Book Week and will end on June 10th to allow time for everyone to develop and promote their characters.
For more information visit the author's website at www.ReneeAHand.com. Entries for characters should be submitted by email to thecryptocapersseries@gmail.com.
Renee Hand is available for media interviews and school visits. She can be reached using the information below or by email at TheCryptoCapersSeries@gmail.com. More information on the Crypto-Caper series and the Joe-Joe Nut series is available at Ms. Hand’s website at www.ReneeAHand.com. All of Ms. Hand’s books are available at any bookstore or from her website.
Profile:
Renee Hand is an award-winning author and educator, She has been writing for over twenty years and has been a published author for five years with six works published. She writes for various chronicles and newsletters, as well as writing reviews for authors of children´s books.
Ms. Hand’s awards include a Best 2006 Fantasy Romance award for Magic Hearts. Her second romance novel, Seduction of the Lonely Heart won a National Literary Award for Best Romance of 2007. The first book in her children's series, The Crypto-Capers in The Case of the Missing Sock, won a preferred choice award for 2009 by Creative Child Magazine.
Ms Hand has appeared in over 40 newspapers and blogs. She has been interviewed on ABC channel 12 and on various radio stations including Blog Talk Radio and The Children's Author Show. She has participated in over 100 events, which include book signings, libraries, book stores, charities, schools and festivals all over the United States. She is a member of the SCBWI (Society of Children´s Book Writers and Illustrators).
Contact:
Renee Hand
Web: www.ReneeAHand.com
Email: TheCryptoCapersSeries@gmail.com
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Award Winning Author Renee Hand Announces New Book Release And School Visit Schedule In The Detroit Michigan Area
Author Renee Hand announces the upcoming release of her newest book, Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill. Ms. Hand will be appearing at Read in the Park on March 21 at Berkley High School and will be visiting schools in the Grand Rapids, Flint, Saginaw, Lansing and Detroit areas of Michigan
Award winning author Renee Hand, author of the Crypto-Capers Series of children’s books announced today the upcoming release of her new book, Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill. She will be appearing at Read in the Park on March 21, 2010 at Berkley High School, and will be visiting schools in the Grand Rapids, Flint, Saginaw, Lansing and Detroit areas of Michigan. School visits will include Hemlock Elementary, State Road Fenton Elementary, Spring Lakes Elementary, Hyatt Elementary, Central Elementary, Linden Elementary, Mount Hope Elementary and Macomb School District.
Ms. Hand’s award winning children’s books are designed to maximize reading comprehension through engaging, interactive games. The Crypto-Capers series, as well as the Joe-Joe Nut series challenge and engage children through involving them in literacy games, leading to improved comprehension and exceptional learning.
“Writing children's books,” stated Ms. Hand, “gives me a chance to be creative and yet at the same time allows me to educate and challenge children to their fullest potential. The Crypto-Caper and Joe-Joe Nut Series involves the reader into the stories in a way that makes them feel a part of it all as they figure out who commits the crime. The reader will learn about deduction and reasoning, but also about themselves and what they can do. These books show characters with strength and courage, compassion and determination, and children of all ages can relate to that.”
Renee Hand will be appearing at Read in the Park for the Berkley School District at Berkley High School in the Collaborative Center on March 21 from 1pm to 4 pm. The Collaborative Center is located at 2325 Catalpa Drive in Berkley Michigan near Detroit and Ann Arbor. Her upcoming school visit schedule includes:
Macomb School District - Clinton Township - March 17, 2010
Hyatt Elementary - Linden MI - March 18, 2010
Central Elementary - Linden MI - March 24, 2010
Linden Elementary - Linden MI - March 26, 2010
Mount Hope Elementary - East Lansing MI - March 29, 2010
Spring Lake Elementary - Grand Rapids MI - March 31, 2010
Barnes and Noble - Lansing MI - May 31, 2010 6-8 pm
Renee Hand is available for media interviews and school visits. She can be reached using the information below or by email at TheCryptoCapersSeries@gmail.com. More information on the Crypto-Caper series and the Joe-Joe Nut series is available at Ms. Hand’s website at www.ReneeAHand.com. All of Ms. Hand’s books are available at any bookstore or from her website.
Profile:
Renee Hand is an award-winning author and educator, She has been writing for over twenty years and has been a published author for five years with five works published. She writes for various chronicles and newsletters, as well as writing reviews for authors of children´s books.
Ms. Hand’s awards include a Best 2006 Fantasy Romance award for Magic Hearts. Her second romance novel, Seduction of the Lonely Heart won a National Literary Award for Best Romance of 2007. The first book in her children's series, The Crypto-Capers in The Case of the Missing Sock, won a preferred choice award for 2009 by Creative Child Magazine.
Ms Hand has appeared in over 40 newspapers and blogs. She has been interviewed on ABC channel 12 and on various radio stations including Blog Talk Radio and The Children's Author Show. She has participated in over 100 events, which include book signings, libraries, book stores, charities, schools and festivals all over the United States. She is a member of the SCBWI (Society of Children´s Book Writers and Illustrators).
Contact:
Renee Hand
Web: www.ReneeAHand.com
Email: TheCryptoCapersSeries@gmail.com
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